The free Wednesday performance begins at 6:30, at Gansevoort Plaza (enter from Gansevoort and Hudson Streets.)

It’s not too late to join us and Alex Feleppa, director of horticulture for the Horticultural Society of New York, for a naturalist walk on the rail yards section of the High Line. The walks are this Saturday, June 7 (there are three sessions.)

We’re not usually able to bring people up to the High Line, so this is a rare chance to see it in its natural state.

Space is extremely limited and there are only a few slots left. Once they are full, you will be able to add yourself to the wait list, and we’ll contact you if there’s a cancellation.

The cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Of course, you can always become a member to get early notice and discounts on programs like this in the future.

Buy Tickets Here

… And so can you! There are still a few spots remaining for the remaining Sketching the High Line classes with artist Ann DeVere.

Last Saturday was the first class, and it was a really wonderful experience. Ann led us through a series of warm-up exercises to get our creative juices flowing, and then we sat for few longer sketches, observing and recording the unique viewpoint we had of the High Line and its surroundings.

Don’t miss this great opportunity!

There are spaces available for the following dates: May 10, May 17, and May 31; click here to sign up. All classes begin at 11 am and end at 12:30 pm. These classes are identical, so registration is only permitted for one class. Members receive a discount; click here for more information about becoming a member. More photos after the jump.

[one of the five minute sketches]

[an artist and her creation]

[sketching the original art deco railing with the Hudson in the background]

There are just a few spots left for our weekend sketching classes on the rail yards section of the High Line this month!  The classes will be led by fantastic artist and printmaker Ann deVere, and all art supplies will be provided.  No innate drawing talent or prior experience is required.  Ann started giving these classes a few years ago at Wave Hill, and developed a huge following, so we feel very lucky to have her on board.  This is a rare opportunity to visit the High Line, so grab your spot now!

Saturday May 3, 10, 17, and 31 (please choose only one)
11:00-12:30PM
$25 Members
$50 Non-Members

RSVP for exact meeting location.

Artist Spencer Finch will discuss plans for the public art work he’s mounting on the High Line at a FREE public lecture next week.  The piece, called “The River the Flows Both Ways,” will be installed where the High Line goes through Chelsea Market, and is made of 720 pieces of colored glass based on light conditions Spencer observed on the Hudson River.  It’s set to open along with the rest of Section 1 of the High Line by the end of the year.  Spencer will also be discussing some of his other projects.

Spencer Finch Lecture
Tuesday, May 6
Cedar Lake Theater
547 West 26th Street
(Between 10th and 11th Avenues)
6:30-8:00PM
FREE

RSVP for Spencer’s Talk

[Spencer Finch's "Sunset," (South Texas, 6/21/03), Fluorescent lights, filters.]

Tomorrow, a group of eighth-grade students from the Lab School will be leading the way… in brightly-colored “chalk shoes.” Brooklyn-based artist Julia Mandle will lead student performers through the streets of the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, in a performance commissioned by Friends of the High Line. As the students shuffle through the neighborhood on their platform-height “chalk shoes,” they will leave a green path on the sidewalks that will lead to the High Line’s future access points.
The weather promises to be gorgeous, so stop by the neighborhood between 12:30 and 1:30 pm, and check out the performance. Or, come to the Leo Kesting Gallery, where the Chalk Shoes will be on display with a video of the performance. The exhibition will be on display from May 15th-21st, during Meatpacking District Design Week.

Update: Photos are here!

The film will show as part of a series of film and music celebrating avant-garde musician Arthur Russell, a first-generation Kitchen artist. This one is not to be missed. Tickets are now available for two screenings. [www.ticketweb.com]

Visit the film’s site for more info, stills and clips.

From the synopsis:

WILD COMBINATION is director Matt Wolf’s visually absorbing portrait of the seminal avant-garde composer, singer-songwriter, cellist, and disco producer Arthur Russell. Before his untimely death from AIDS in 1992, Arthur prolifically created music that spanned both pop and the transcendent possibilities of abstract art. Now, over fifteen years since his passing, Arthur’s work is finally finding its audience. Wolf incorporates rare archival footage and commentary from Arthur’s family, friends, and closest collaborators—including Philip Glass and Allen Ginsberg—to tell this poignant and important story.

Some of Matt’s High Line shorts are on YouTube, including the 2007 High Line Portrait Project, and the 2007 Summer Benefit.

Matt’s now at work on a video about the High Line’s history, narrated by Ethan Hawke. Stay tuned.

When you’re there, check out the Artware Editions (Booth F-5). Artware is a gallery in the West Village that specializes in functional objects and furniture designed by artists. We are excited to be working with Artware to create artist-designed objects inspired (and some made with actual artifacts from) the High Line. Stay tuned for more info on those. Below, one of their pieces for the fair entitled Twin Table by Richard Roth.

National Wine Week in New York City extends from March 10-14.  Fourth Wall Restaurants will celebrate with lunch tastings in its five restaurants: Smith & Wollensky New York, Park Avenue Winter, Maloney & Porcelli, Quality Meats, and The Post House.  Tuesday through Friday, guests are offered ten generous samples of wine from more than 700 vintners for $10 with the cost of lunch.

At the conclusion of Wine Week, Fourth Wall restaurants will donate $5,000 to Friends of the High Line.  So drink up!  It’s for a good cause!